December 2025

Munson Healthcare CME: 50 Years of Advancing Clinical Knowledge
In 2026, Munson Healthcare’s Continuing Medical Education (CME) program will celebrate 50 years of empowering physicians through lifelong learning — a commitment that has elevated patient care across Northern Michigan. Since 1976, Munson’s CME program has served as a cornerstone for clinical excellence and professional growth.

Accredited by the Michigan State Medical Society, Munson’s CME offerings include:

• Provider Symposium (see story below)
• Virtual Licensure Conference
• Primary Care Dinner Lecture Series
• Tuesday Grand Rounds and Friday Medical Conference
• Medical Staff Leadership Training
• Culinary Medicine
• Case Conferences
• On-Demand CME Courses

Why CME Matters
CME activities ensure physicians:

• Stay current with advances in diagnosis, technology, treatment protocols, and prevention.
• Improve patient outcomes through the latest evidence-based care practices and research.
• Fulfill state licensure requirements on topics such as medical ethics, pain and symptom management, and implicit bias.
• Closed identified practice gaps and implement process improvements.
• Grow professionally and prepare for leadership roles.

Studies show that ongoing medical education directly correlates with better patient care and reduced hospitalizations. In today’s rapidly changing medical landscape, CME is not just a requirement; it’s a professional responsibility.

Partnering with Physicians
The MHC CME team serves our entire system and works closely with many stakeholders, including the long-standing Munson Medical Center CME Committee, a sub-committee of the MMC Medical Staff. The team constantly strives to anticipate learning needs and incorporate those needs into our program goals and strategies.

“Kara, Katie, Tammie, and our entire CME committee are exceptionally competent, dedicated, and a pleasure to work with. As a member of the medical staff, I’ve truly been spoiled by the outstanding quantity and quality of Munson’s CME offerings,” said Kyle Carr, MD, Chair of the MMC CME Committee (since 1999!).

Looking Ahead
As we approach the new year, Munson remains committed to honoring our CME legacy while embracing new learning opportunities. In 2026, we’re excited to introduce CME for Maintenance of Certification (MOC) as part of our expanded offerings. Stay tuned for more details as we roll this out!

Learn More
For more information on Munson’s CME offerings or to access on-demand courses, visit Munson’s CME webpage. Or reach out to our CME Team at cme@mhc.net.

Participants at this popular and educational event can:

• Choose from an à la carte menu of in-person CME sessions featuring varied topics tailored to the educational needs of Munson Healthcare providers.
• Engage in various learning formats including plenary sessions, panel discussions, and hands-on skills labs.
• Socialize with colleagues at the Friday Evening Happy Hour.

Cost:

• Friday CME Sessions: $200 (excludes lodging)
• Thursday Hands-on Learning: $50

For details and to register by Jan. 2: munsonhealthcare.org/providersymposium

This program has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

Healthcare Team

Getting to Know: Melanie Holtrop, MD
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine

Dr. Melanie Holtrop is a Pulmonologist with broad areas of expertise, include management of pulmonary nodules, lung cancer, interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma. She is one of three Munson physicians who performs ION navigational bronchoscopy, a robot designed to diagnose lung cancer at its earliest stages.

Referrals

Practices at:
Munson Healthcare
Pulmonary & Critical Care
of Northwest Michigan

Phone:
231-935-0440

Fax:
231-935-0445

Direct Trust
mholtrop@direct.mhc.net

MHC.PulmonaryAnd
CriticalCareTraverseCity
@direct.mhc.net

What should referring providers know about Munson’s Lung Nodule Referral Program and Clinic?
This program provides expedited risk assessment and support for patients when concerning lung nodules are identified on imaging. Early diagnosis is critical as patients diagnosed with lung cancer at an early stage have significantly better outcomes than those diagnosed later.

Northern Michigan has a higher-than-average incidence of lung cancer and advanced-stage diagnoses. Through Munson’s Lung Nodule Referral Program and Clinic, we strive to diagnose and treat lung cancer earlier, improving patient outcomes across the region.

When should providers refer patients? Who is an ideal candidate?
For referral guidelines and how to refer, click here. In particular, refer patients with lung nodules greater than 8 mm, especially those with risk factors such as smoking history or family history of lung cancer. We encourage early referrals so we can begin preparing patients for potential treatment while completing diagnostic evaluations.

Learn More
Providers are invited to attend the MHC Provider Symposium on Fri., Jan. 9, where Dr. Holtrop will present an overview of the new Lung Nodule Clinic.

In Brief

Primary Hospital:
Munson Medical Center

Joined:
July 2024

Medical Education:
University of Michigan
Medical School

Residency:
Internal Medicine
& Pediatrics,
University of Texas Southwestern

Fellowship:
Pulmonary &
Critical Care Medicine,
University of Texas Southwestern

On a Personal Note...
Dr. Holtrop lives in Traverse City with her husband and two young children. Outside of work, she enjoys running, water sports, and spending time near Lake Michigan with her family.

Welcome Munson’s Newest Providers!
In addition to announcing new providers when they join as part of Provider Moves (see below), we invite you to learn more about some of the recent additions to our Healthcare Team.

Please join us in welcoming...

• Bobbie Crider, FNP-BC | Munson Healthcare Cadillac Surgical Care

• Celeste Frazee, NP | Munson Healthcare Boyne Area Health Center

• Murphy Gillespie, NP | Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hematology and Oncology

• Jayme Larson, FNP-BC | Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Primary Care

• Chandler Williams, NP | Munson Hospice and Palliative Medicine Outpatient Service 

Provider Moves
Munson Healthcare’s Provider Moves webpage has been updated for November, including new providers, practice changes, retirees, providers no longer on staff (or practicing), and other updates (e.g., name changes, practice moves, new phone and fax numbers).

For a directory of Munson-privileged providers who accept referrals, go to Find A Doctor.

The following Munson-employed providers are new to the following MHC practices:

• Bobbie Crider, NP | Munson Healthcare Cadillac Surgical Care
• Angela Douglas, NP | Munson Healthcare Advanced Wound Center
• Lindsey Weber, CRNA | Munson Healthcare Anesthesia

The following Munson-employed provider is new to the following MHC practice:

• Chandler Williams, NP | Munson Hospice and Palliative Medicine Outpatient Service

Julie Smeltzer is focused on making it easier for patients to get the care they need with the right provider, at the right place, and at the right time.  

Julie has held numerous roles during her years at Munson. She currently leads the Munson Provider Network (MPN) Access Center, which includes the new Referral Center, the Template Specialist Team (optimizing provider schedules), and more. She also supports Payor Enrollment and Provider Onboarding.

“Access means supporting processes, people, and technology that help patients gain the appropriate care throughout our provider network,” Julie explains.

One major improvement is the redesigned referral process. Previously, referrals were decentralized and at times inefficient. Now, specialties are grouped into cohorts, with coordinators cross-trained in each specialty.

Contact

231-935-2410 (office)
231-620-2938 (mobile)
jsmeltzer@mhc.net
Microsoft Teams

• Creates teams instead of “teams of one”
• Adds leadership roles for better support
• Provides a single point of contact for referrals

“We’re excited about the efficiencies this will bring for everyone while ultimately getting patients in to see our providers more quickly,” says Julie.

The pilot launched in October with Gastroenterology, Urology, and centralized cohorts. Neurosciences joined Dec. 5, and all cohorts are expected to be live by April. Look for updates in future issues of Practice Pro.

Julie emphasizes the importance of collaboration: “Feedback is critical. I spend much of my day talking with team members, leaders, and providers to answer questions and brainstorm improvements. Adjusting based on feedback is crucial to the success of this new model, and I look forward to hearing from many of you in the coming weeks and months.”

 Reports and Referrals

Best Practices for Ordering Radiology Testing
Musculoskeletal (MSK) Ultrasounds
Incorrect or incomplete MSK ultrasound orders can delay patient care. Please follow the guidance below when ordering MSK ultrasounds.

Lab Results from a Non-Munson Laboratory
When scheduling patients for Radiology testing at Munson, please ensure any related lab results from an outside laboratory are provided at the time of scheduling. Results can be faxed to Munson Radiology Scheduling at 231-935-3473.

 Services

Patients Can Now Self-Refer to Munson’s Lung Cancer Screening Clinic
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Low-dose CT screening can detect lung cancer earlier and improve survival rates. Eligible patients can now self-refer to the Munson Lung Cancer Screening Clinic using our online form — no provider order required.

Once submitted, we’ll contact the patient to confirm they meet the criteria and schedule a clinic appointment in Cadillac, Kalkaska, or Traverse City. Patients will have a shared decision-making visit with a provider and, when clinically appropriate, receive a low-dose CT screening the same day. Our team will contact the patient directly with results and coordinate any follow-up care, if needed. If the patient has a PCP, screening results will be communicated.

We encourage patients to verify insurance coverage prior to the visit.

Questions? Contact Amanda Stuart, MHC Oncology Specialty Program Coordinator, at 231-392-8537 or astuart@mhc.net.

New Bone Density Clinic in Petoskey
Munson Healthcare is excited to announce the addition of a dedicated Bone Density Clinic at our new Petoskey Community Health Center. The clinic provides specialized care for the assessment, diagnosis, and management of osteoporosis and osteopenia.

Appointments can be scheduled with Victoria Buescher, MD, Internal Medicine, by calling 231-417-6000 (option 1) or clicking here.

To learn more, read the news release.

Audiology Services Expanding in Munson’s East Region
Starting Jan. 6, Munson will expand Audiology services in our East Region from one day to three days per week in Grayling. Our new provider, Kirk Josvai, AuD, will see patients on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Later in 2026, we will add two days per week of audiology services in Gaylord, also supported by Dr. Josvai. Please stay tuned for that announcement.

This expansion of audiology services enhances close-to-home access for patients throughout the East Region.

Gaylord PET/CT Services Temporarily Moving to Grayling in January
Starting the week of Jan. 12, PET/CT services currently provided at Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord will be temporarily relocated to Grayling Hospital.

This change allows for the installation of a new MRI at OMH. During this time, a mobile MRI unit will occupy the space where the PET/CT truck is normally parked. PET/CT services are anticipated to return to Gaylord by May 4.

Please continue to follow your standard process to schedule patients for outpatient radiology testing.

GT Crisis Center Ready to Help This Holiday Season
Those who may find themselves struggling with stress, loneliness, or loss during the holidays have a new place to seek help this season as Grand Traverse Mental Health Crisis and Access Center (Crisis Center) welcomes people 24/7.

According to research, 41% of U.S. adults report feeling an increase in stress during the holidays (American Psychological Association), while 66% of people say they experience sadness or loneliness (National Alliance on Mental Illness).

Many of the people who may have previously sought care in the Emergency Department can now receive care at the Crisis Center, which also includes a Psychiatric Urgent Care open Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm. While an Emergency Department is the most appropriate setting if there is an immediate risk to life, the Crisis Center can serve people with acute behavioral health needs. To learn more, read the news release.

 Patient Care

MDHHS Vaccine Recommendations
Hepatitis B Vaccine: Read MDHHS statement. 

MDHHS has adopted the immunization schedules published by the following national medical associations as the standards of care for immunization practices in Michigan.

MDHHS-Recommended Immunization Schedules

• Children & Adolescents (Birth – 18 years): American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
• Adults (19+): American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
• Pregnant Individuals: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
• Immunocompromised (All Ages): Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA)
• Combined Guidance: MDHHS 2025-2026 Respiratory Vaccine Recommendations

Thank you for continuing to support vaccinations as an evidence-based, safe method of disease prevention.

HIV Guidance for PCPs
Primary care providers are reminded to:

• Ensure every patient has an HIV screening at least once in their lifetime for ages 13-64.

• Test for HIV more frequently in patients with unusual symptoms or identified risk factors (i.e., Injection Drug Use, new and/or multiple sex partners).

• Talk about sexual history with your patients by including sexual history in your past medical and social history discussions, possibly as part of their annual physical regardless of the patient’s age or risk factors.

• Know the available resources for yourself and patients. Please review the clinical and educational resources available at munsonhealthcare.org/HIV.

For additional guidance related to the prevention, diagnosis, and management of HIV, please contact the Thomas Judd Care Center at 231-935-7548.

LabMed Reports
New Blood Gas Analyzers: New blood gas analyzers have been implemented across all MHC locations. Learn more in LabMed Report | Dec. 2025 Volume 10.

Reflex Urine Culture 72 Hours: MHC Laboratories has updated Oracle to allow a urine culture to reflex from a urinalysis (when indicated) every 72 hours. Previously, a urine culture would reflex only once per patient encounter. Learn more in LabMed Report | Dec. 2025 Volume 11.

Pathology FISH Bladder Cancer Request: Pathology FISH Bladder Cancer Request test is now orderable in Oracle Health (previously orderable as miscellaneous). Learn more in LabMed Report | Dec. 2025 Volume 12.

An archive of LabMed Reports is available at munsonhealthcare.org/labmed.

 Resources and Reminders

Life Support Requirements for MHC-Credentialed Providers
Standardized life support certifications are required for MHC-credentialed providers, based on their specialty and staff category. To verify which certification(s) apply to your providers, please refer to MHC Medical Staff Provider Life Support Requirements.

Action Required:

• A friendly reminder to submit all current life support certifications to cvoexpirables@mhc.net prior to Jan. 1, 2026.

More Information: 

• For guides on certification requirements, bookmark munsonhealthcare.org/recredentialing.
• To schedule training at a nearby hospital, click here. Register early as classes fill quickly.
• Need an extension? Please reach out to your Chief Medical Officer and email the scheduled class date to cvoexpirables@mhc.net.
  

 Education

Educational Resources for DEA License Renewal
Most licensed prescribers who are either renewing or applying for a new controlled substance DEA license are required to have completed at least 8 hours of opioid or other substance use disorders (SUD) training.

• completed training to meet the requirements of the DATA-2000 waiver to prescribe buprenorphine
• board certified in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry

Opioid/SUD Training Resources:

• Munson On-Demand CME
• MICARES: Michigan Collaborative Addiction Resources & Education System
• Michigan Overdose Prevention Engagement Network (OPEN)
• Yale Program in Addiction Medicine
  
  

Upcoming CME Opportunities
For a list of upcoming events, visit munsonhealthcare.org/providerevents.

Online Resources
Munson's For Providers website features clinical resources and education to support providers and office staff. Bookmark now for quick access: munsonhealthcare.org/forproviders

To easily identify resources available on the For Providers website in Practice Pro, look for:

To read past issues of Practice Pro, visit munsonhealthcare.org/PracticePro. 

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